Due to the revision of the platform, the ad unlock function has been added, when the ad is opened, wait for 5 seconds, you are stretching out your little hand to make a fortune, click on the x number in the upper right corner to close, you can continue to read my article, this process is completely free, please don't worry.
Text: Yanyan
Edited by Yeon-yeon
Preface
In Sima Qian's "Records of the Historians", there are many terrifying details hidden, which are enough to touch the deepest fears in people's hearts.
However, Sima Qian chose an ingenious way to present these thought-provoking plots, and he did not dare to say them directly, so he could only cleverly bypass them and reveal them to the reader in a sideways way.
What is the terrifying power of these hidden truths? Why didn't he dare to confront these details, and how did he subtly express them in words?
1. The Historian's Dilemma: Sima Qian's Choice
In ancient China, the position of historian was both glorious and dangerous. They are tasked with documenting history, but they also face threats to power.
Sima Qian, the great historian, deeply realized this when compiling the "Historical Records". As a historian, Sima Qian had to strike a balance between authenticity and security.
He knew that if he recorded certain sensitive events directly, he could incur death. But to completely avoid these facts is to deviate from the duty of a historian.
Therefore, Sima Qian chose a unique way: to record history in an obscure way, hiding the truth between the lines. This style of writing requires great skill.
Sima Qian's skillful use of language lays groundwork in seemingly ordinary narratives, allowing future generations to discover the hidden truth through meticulous scrutiny. This not only reflects Sima Qian's wisdom, but also shows his persistent pursuit of historical truth.
2. The mystery of Qin Shi Huang's life experience: the suspicion of bloodline
In the "Records of the Historians", Sima Qian left an intriguing mystery about the life of Qin Shi Huang. He has different descriptions of Qin Shi Huang's birth in the "Qin Shi Huang Benji" and "The Biography of Lü Buweilie", and there is a deep meaning behind this difference.
In "The Chronicles of Qin Shi Huang", Sima Qian wrote: "King Zhuang Xiang was the proton of Qin Yu Zhao, and when he saw Lü Buwei Ji, he took it with pleasure and gave birth to the first emperor. This passage seems to confirm that Qin Shi Huang was the biological son of King Xiang of Qin Zhuang.
However, in "The Biography of Lü Buwei", Sima Qian hinted at another possibility: "Lü Buwei took the handan princesses and lived with the best dancers, and knew that he had a body. ...... He offered his concubine. Ji hid himself, and when he was older, he gave birth to a son. "
The difference between these two statements has led to many speculations about the life of Qin Shi Huang. Some believe that Qin Shi Huang may have been the son of Lü Buwei, rather than the biological flesh and blood of King Xiang of Qin Zhuang. Through this subtle way of recording, Sima Qian left room for future generations to think.
What's more interesting is that Sima Qian mentioned in "The Biography of Lü Buweilie" that Zhao Ji gave birth to Yingzheng "when he was in his prime". The term "major period" usually refers to the 12 months of pregnancy, which is significantly longer than the normal pregnancy period.
This detail seems to imply that Zhao Ji was pregnant before she married King Xiang of Qin Zhuang, and that Qin Shi Huang was most likely Lü Buwei's child.
Sima Qian's way of recording not only retains the official narrative, but also subtly leaves another possibility for the reader to think and judge for himself. This writing technique not only shows Sima Qian's wisdom, but also reflects his pursuit of historical truth.
3. The period of Emperor Hui of the Han Dynasty: the struggle for power
After the death of Liu Bang, the ancestor of the Han Dynasty, the stage of history turned to his successor, Liu Ying, Emperor Hui of the Han Dynasty. However, it was the Empress Dowager Lu Pheasant who really held the power. During this period, the power struggle within the imperial court intensified.
In documenting this period of history, Sima Qian skillfully depicts how Lü Pheasant gradually took control of the government. He mentioned that Lü Pheasant interfered in Liu Ying's marriage and forced Liu's children to marry Lü women in order to consolidate the position of the Lü family.
This description not only shows Lü Pheasant's intrigues, but also hints at Liu Ying's powerlessness as emperor. What is even more surprising is that Sima Qian also vaguely mentioned the issue of the descendants of Emperor Hui of the Han Dynasty.
He recorded: "The young emperor and the kings of Liang, Huaiyang, and Changshan are not true filial piety and Huizi. Empress Lu deceived his son, killed his mother, raised the harem, and made the filial piety of the son as the queen, and the kings to take the Lu family. This passage implies that Lü Pheasant may have faked the descendants of Emperor Hui of Han in order to maintain the rule of the Lü family.
Through the description of these details, Sima Qian not only shows the complex political situation at that time, but also makes the reader feel the cruelty of the power struggle. His brushstrokes are both cautious and profound, and on the premise of not violating taboos, he restores the truth of history as much as possible.
Fourth, the change of Xulu: the change of power
After Lü Pheasant's death, the rule of the Lü family soon came to an end. Sima Qian has a unique way of describing the coup d'état, known as the "Xulu Rebellion."
He did not record the course of the coup d'état in detail, but summed up the event in succinct language: "If you are not a son of the Liu family, you should not stand up." This sentence came from Chen Ping's mouth and hinted at the legitimacy of the coup.
In this way, Sima Qian not only avoids directly evaluating this sensitive event, but also leaves room for the reader to think.
What is even more remarkable is that Sima Qian, in documenting the coup, also mentioned a shocking detail: not only were the members of the Lu family liquidated, but even the reigning little emperor and the other three children who claimed to be Liu Ying's sons were not spared.
This detail hints at the brutality of the political struggle and also sparks speculation about the true identities of these children. Sima Qian's way of recording not only conforms to the official position, but also skillfully preserves the truth of history.
He gives the reader a sense between the lines of the intricate political situation at the time, as well as the bloodshed and cruelty behind the change of power.
5. The Rise of Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty: A New Beginning
After the Xulu Rebellion, Emperor Liu Heng of the Han Dynasty ascended to the throne. However, when Sima Qian recorded this process, he left behind an intriguing puzzle.
He mentioned that when Liu Heng was still acting king before he ascended the throne, a queen gave birth to three or four sons for him. However, just before Liu Heng ascended the throne, the queen died, and soon after Liu Heng ascended the throne, these sons also died of illness one after another.
This coincidence raises the question of whether there is something hidden in it. Sima Qian did not comment directly on the event, but the way he recorded it leaves the reader room for thought.
Some speculate that the acting queen may have been a member of the Lu family, and that her death and her children may be related to the Xulu Rebellion. Although this speculation cannot be confirmed, it reflects the complex political situation at the time.
More interestingly, Sima Qian, when describing Liu Heng's actions after his accession to the throne, summarized in concise language how Liu Heng consolidated his power. He mentioned that after Liu Heng returned to Chang'an, he first installed his cronies in the court, and then let his cronies take over the troops.
These details, though simple, clearly show how a new monarch can secure his rule. In this way, Sima Qian avoids directly evaluating these sensitive events, while providing the reader with clues to understand the political situation at the time.
His brushstrokes are both cautious and profound, and on the premise of not violating taboos, he restores the truth of history as much as possible.
epilogue
These obscure details in the "Records of History" are like a key that opens the door to history, allowing us to get a glimpse of those buried truths.
With his unique brushwork, Sima Qian seeks to survive in the cracks of power, and skillfully conveys the truth to future generations. This not only reflects his wisdom and courage as a historian, but also shows his persistent pursuit of historical truth.
By perusing the Records of the Historians, we can not only understand the historical events, but also feel the humanity and power struggle behind the history, which is the charm of the Chronicles.
【Disclaimer】The process and pictures described in the article are all from the Internet, and this article aims to advocate positive social energy and no vulgar and other bad guidance. If it involves copyright or character infringement issues, please contact us in time, and we will delete the content as soon as possible! If there is any doubt about the incident, it will be deleted or changed immediately after contact.